North Seahurst Park Nature Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views

Twisting and turning through the protected forest of Seahurst Park, the area's main route (also referred to as the North Nature Trail) is a fun, dynamic hike.

The trail is usually accessed via one of two singletracks climbing off of the Shoreline Trail. Head north from the parking lot and look for a break in the vegetation to the right. With no signs or markers, both can be easy to miss. The route as described here begins at the southern point, where it makes a quick, winding climb above the shoreline. The path is mostly smooth, soft dirt. Expect occasional encounters with mud, roots, rocks, and other debris. Most are spread out far enough to not cause any trouble, but a few segments - generally where the plantlife reaches in closer to the trail - can be mildly technical. Use caution in any parts where the trail isn't easily visible.

After the initial climb, Seahurst flattens out until reaching the first of many intersections at the quarter mile point. The entire area is a spaghetti bowl of disused paved road and dirt singletrack, and while the major routes are covered here, there are a few that break off for a few hundred feet before finding their way back. This is a good place to get intentionally lost, as even the furthest detour is no more than a mile from the shoreline. Feel free to explore.

Continuing on, Seahurst resumes climbing for another quarter mile, sometimes at a fairly steep grade. After two crossings of the Seahurst Park Service Road, the main trail reaches its high point about three hundred feet up and stays there, with easy dips and rises becoming the norm. The frequent twists continue, making for an interesting hike.

After the second road crossing, the route curves around to the north and comes to a visible split. Left leads to a short connector to the Salmon Creek Ravine trail. Going right heads to a large, lazy circle around the eastern end of the park. The next half mile is a fast series of ups and downs through the mossy surroundings, broken by the occasional mud patch in wet weather. A few diversions split off to other areas and neighborhood trailheads; the main route is generally the most defined one.

Following the South Seahurst Connector, the main trail begins a somewhat steep descent to finish out its last mile. Unlike the first climb, which is interrupted by a flat section, this stays at a consistent grade until reaching the end, making for a strenuous ascent.

Seahurst ends back at the Shoreline Trail, near the Science Center.

Seahurst plant life is typical of the wetlands and forests found along the Puget Sound. Grasses and ferns lie low along the trails, and watch for lilies, huckleberries, salal, snowberries, elderberries. Stinging nettles are an uncommon but present hazard. Tree varieties are dominated by evergreens, with several maples making appearances as well. English Ivy, English Holly, and blackberry bushes are problematic invasive species; feel free to pull out any you encounter along the way to help (though watch for blackberry thorns).

Both large and small birds are present in great numbers around Seahurst. Seagulls, eagles, woodpeckers, herons, and owls can be found here. Landborne animals are less frequently sighted, confined mostly to suburban woodland creatures like raccoons and mice. The creeks in Seahurst were once return routes for spawning salmon, and a hatchery near the Science Center researches their movements.